Philippine newspaper
columnists and cartoonists often compare sharks to anything perceived
as corrupt, criminal, and evil. This custom appeared to have been started
by The Independent in 1917, with an editorial cartoon showing
a shark representing "embezzlement."

Almost
a hundred years later, despite new discoveries about shark behavior,
the practice continues. Teodoro C. Benigno of the Philippine Star
(Jan. 28, 2000), described Macau businessman Stanley Ho as a "gambling
overlord with the dentures of a man-eating shark". Benigno, however,
stopped making similar analogies in succeeding articles, apparently
after the Star published my letter of complaint.

But
on Oct. 22, 2000, the Philippine Daily Inquirer ran an editorial
cartoon showing several animals, one of which is a Hammerhead representing
"crony corporations". Ironically, the Inquirer claims to
be working with the World Wildlife Fund.

Editorial cartoon
of Philippine Daily Inquirer, Oct. 22, 2000.

The
practice of comparing sharks with alleged criminals is unfair and promotes
ignorance about these magnificent sea creatures. Sharks, like other animals,
eat because they have to, not because of criminal intent. When aroused
by curiosity, they cannot use their hands to investigate; they have to
bite. When provoked, they cannot use foul language; they have to attack.

Also,
among the 350 species of sharks known so far, only about 10 are considered
dangerous to man. And these sharks don't feed exclusively on humans. Research
indicates that the Great White lunges at surfers lying on board because
the surfers look like silhouetted seals. So, the ambushes are most likely
due to mistaken identities.

According
to the International
Shark Attack File, "In most instances, these [shark attacks on humans]
probably are cases of mistaken identity that occur under conditions of
poor water visibility and a harsh physical environment … A feeding shark
in this habitat must make quick decisions and rapid movements to capture
its traditional food items."

So,
while the number of shark attacks on humans are relatively small and accidental,
human attacks on sharks are systematically industrialized. Fishermen dismember
millions of sharks every year, slicing off their fins and dumping the
wounded animals back into the sea. This cruel, bizarre ritual is performed
regularly just to make shark fin soup.

The
impression that sharks are evil in recent years is largely due to Steven
Spielberg's classic movie "Jaws". But Hollywood animal "monsters" are
usually lesser than the human evil that produces or ignores them. Evil
in "Jaws" was tourism for the sake of profit. Evil in "Jurassic Park"
was reckless genetic engineering. And evil in "Anaconda" and
"Godzilla" were the homicidal snake hunter and nuclear pollution.

Latest recycling:
Editorial cartoon of The Philippine Star, Feb. 18, 2002.
("Pentagon" is a kidnap-for-ransom gang in the Philippines.)

Unfortunately,
the messages of these movies are so subtle that most Philippine viewers
couldn't see them. So, not only sharks and crocodiles are used to represent
human wrongdoing and condition, but also snakes, cockroaches, spiders,
octopuses, scorpions, vultures, bats, and rats. On Dec. 6, 2000, Inquirer
columnist Neal H. Cruz wrote: "… Snakes -- and yes, rats -- are still
plentiful in the Philippines … They are plentiful in Malacañang and Congress
where they cavort with crocodiles …."

Cynical
jokes like this are recycled endlessly by Philippine political writers.
And many readers continue to be influenced. During a 2001 political rally
held against former President Joseph Estrada, for example, demonstrators
displayed Godzilla and a crocodile to represent the president and his
alleged cronies.

Such
demonstrations are welcome, but the method is boring. My advice: Take
a break and watch Discovery Channel. See if there's a crocodile breaking
his political promises or a shark stealing money from the people.

"There
are three sharks caged under the pool of Dos Palmas resort. Unfortunately,
even if they are not caged they will never eat the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
You know why? Professional courtesy." -- Richard Gordon, Secretary
of Tourism, The Philippine Star, July 4, 2001